The Foundation for Fighting Blindness will host the Northern Virginia/D.C. Metro Vision Walk to be held at Cameron Park (4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria) this Saturday, May 9.

Alexandria Hosts Vision Walk for BlindnessThe Foundation for Fighting Blindness will host the Northern Virginia/D.C. Metro Vision Walk to be held at Cameron Park (4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria) this Saturday, May 9.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 10 a.m. Conceived by the Foundation for Fighting Blindness in 2006, 50 VisionWalks are taking place in 25 states across the country throughout the year, building awareness of retinal diseases and funding the research to find cures. VisionWalks have raised more than $7 million to date. For more details, call 202-414-0794.

FORMER FALLS CHURCH City Treasurer Bob Morrison (seated, center) was honored at First Friday festivities last week by F.C.’s Mike Curtin (left), executive director of the D.C. Central Kitchen. Morrison was signing copies of a chef’ s cookbook, being sold to raise money for the Central Kitchen, featuring his photographs that were also displayed on the walls. Curtin presented Morrison with a framed copy of a photo that appeared in the News-Press when Morrison was named the Central Kitchen’s Volunteer of the Year in 2006. F.C. Vice Mayor Hal Lippman is at the right. (Photo: News-Press)

Longtime F.C. Resident to Lead the Parade Pack

Longtime Falls Church City resident Jessie Thackery, 95, will serve as the Grand Marshal at the 2009 Falls Church Memorial Day Parade. Thackery has been extremely involved in the community’s schools, previously serving on the Falls Church School Board. The 28th annual parade kicks off Monday, May 25 at 9 a.m., rain or shine.

Falls Church Rec & Parks Dance Recital Kicks Off

The City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department’s Annual Dance Recital will kick off its two-day performance series this Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. The second performance, an encore, will be held the following Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. Hundreds of students participate in the annual spring recital. Children range in age from 2 – 16. The event will take place in the George Mason High School auditorium (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). The recital is free and open to the public. For more information, call 703-248-5077.

Arts & Crafts Festival Comes to Ballston

The Ballston Arts & Crafts Market (4230 Fairfax Dr., Arlington) kicks off this Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.,and runs through Oct. 10. From cards and jewelry to t-shirts and free entertainment, this festival has it all. For more information, call 202-536-9714.

‘Mamma Mia’ Hits F.C. Senior Center’s Big Screen

Mamma Mia hits the big screen during this Saturday’s cinematic experience. The Falls Church Senior Center’s Movie on the Big Screen will kick off at 10 a.m. on May 9 at the Teen Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). For more information, call 703) 248-5020.

Tom Dunnel to Speak at F.C. Rotary Meeting

KATHLEEN CLARKEN BUSCHOW (left), clerk for the City of Falls Church, was presented with a proclamation by F.C. Mayor Robin Gardner (right) last month designating “Municipal Clerk’s Week.” Buschow was certified as a municipal clerk and named Clerk of the Year for Virginia last year. (Photo: News-Press)

The Jammin’ Juniors concert series continues next Wednesday, May 13 with Two of a Kind. The free lunchtime concert for ages 2 – 5 will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the McLean Central Park Gazebo (1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean). Parking is located at Route 123 and Old Dominion Drive. For more information on the concert, call 703-790-0123. To find out more about Two of a Kind, visit www.twoofakind.com.

McLean Rotary Welcomes Jamaican Ambassador

On Tuesday, May 12, the McLean Rotary Club will welcome Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson. Johnson will speak about the economic effects of the recession on the Caribbean and specifically on Jamaica. As always, the weekly meeting will be held at noon inside the fellowship hall at the Redeemer Lutheran Church (1545 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean). For more information, visit www.mcleanrotary.org.

News-Press’ Mellema Hosts FCA Artists’ Roundtable

Falls Church Arts (FCA) is set to host an FCA Artists’ Roundtable. Kevin Mellema, artist, art critic and “Northern Virginia Art Beat” columnist for the Falls Church News-Press, will discuss “How to read and understand composition in visual imagery.” The event will be held today, Thursday, May 7 at F.A. McGonegal Kitchen & Bath (212 N. West St., Falls Church) from 7 – 9 p.m. This lively discussion is free and open to the public. For more information about FCA, visit www.fallschurcharts.org.

F.C. Restaurants Host Relay for Life Fundraisers

Two local restaurants will be hosting fundraisers this week to support the 2009 Falls Church Relay for Life. On Tuesday, May 12, Ledo’s Pizza (7510 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) will be the site of a fund-raiser for the Pink Peeps team from 5 – 10 p.m. If customers mention Relay For Life, the restaurant will donate 20 percent of the cost of their order to support the relay. And on Wednesday, May 13, Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church) will donate a portion of its sales made between 5 – 7:30 p.m. to the relay. Cancer survivor Hope M. Galley, captain of Team Good Humor and winner of the Falls Church Chamber’s 2009 James S. Elkin Humanitarian Award, will serve as guest bartender during that time.

HELPING TO SELL raffle tickets at this year’s Taste of Chesterbrook, Devon Gold and Rachel White take a break to smile for the camera. All proceeds from the Taste of Chesterbrook went to the Chesterbrook Continuing Care Fund, which helps seniors in financial need. (Photo: Courtesy Kelly Halteh)

The event will also feature prizes and a raffle. Cancer survivors are particularly encouraged to join in the celebration. May has been declared Cancer Awareness Month in Falls Church. Events will culminate in the Relay for Life on May 30 – 31 on the track at George Mason High School. The relay, sponsored under the auspices of the American Cancer Society, is designed to raise funds for the fight against cancer, remember victims of cancer and celebrate cancer survivors. For more information, visit www.fallschurchrelay.org.

McLean Community Players Perform ‘Glass Menagerie’

The McLean Community Players will perform “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams this Friday – Sunday, May 8 – 10 at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean). Friday and Saturday’s show times are at 8 p.m., whereas Sunday’s show will occur at 2 p.m. General admission costs $15 and $13 for McLean district residents. For more information, call 703-790-0123.

Arlington’s ‘Dude Fest’ Pays Homage to ‘Lebowski’

Calling all bros, Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington) will hosting a Dude Fest today, Thursday, May 7. Dude festivities shall include a screening of The Big Lebowski, live music that features songs from the film’s soundtrack, trivia, bowling, a costume contest and more. Everyone who dresses as a character from the movie wins a free movie pass for a future visit to the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the film begins at 9 p.m. Admission costs $8. For more information, call 703-486-2345.

F.C.’s Mary Riley Hosts Book Discussions

Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church) will hold a book discussion today, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. on Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky. On Tuesday, May 12, another literary meeting, as part of the “Great Books Discussion” series, will explore On Tragedy by Aristotle at 7:30 p.m. For more information on either of these events, call 703-248-5030.

Best-selling Author Meets & Greets at Perspective Series

Co-sponsored by Fairfax County Public Library Center for the Book, The Fairfax Library Foundation and the McLean Community Center, “An Evening with Lisa Scottoline” will take place next Tuesday, May 12 at the Alden Theatre (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean). Starting at 7:30 p.m., Scottoline will headline McLean Community Center’s Perspective Series. Tickets will be distributed beginning at 7 p.m., with a limit for four tickets per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is not required. For more information, call 703-790-0123.

Dance on D.C.’s Front Lawn At Ball on the Mall

DULIN COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL students, led by Teacher-Director Emily Donovan, lent their joyful voices to Dulin United Methodist Church’s annual children’s service on May 3. The children’s service gives the church congregation a chance to learn about the preschool, as well as a chance for the preschool community to thank Dulin Church for its ongoing support. (Photo: Courtesy Nancy Romps)

On Friday, May 8, the Ball on the Mall will kick off at 7:30 p.m. This black-tie soiree will take place between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Tickets cost $150 and benefit the Trust for the National Mall. Swingtown will perform and there will be hors d’oeuvres, a food station and an open bar. Rain won’t be a problem as this event takes place under a tent. For more information, 202-207-3898.

Children Put on Chef’s Hat, Cook for Mom

Children are invited to celebrate this Mother’s Day cooking with mom at Zola (800 F St. NW, Washington, D.C.) this Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The class, recommended for children ages 8 and up, costs $45 per child and parent/guardian duo. However, the child will be the one cooking, as he or she learns to bake and decorate flower-shaped cookies for mom. For more information, call 202-654-2855.

Stay Home, See the World

Peek behind international closed doors this Saturday, May 9 during Passport D.C. & the E.U. Open House, when 35 embassies in the district will be opening their doors to the public for free. From 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. various locations will be open for viewing. For more information, call 202-661-7581 or visit www.culturaltourismdc.org.